‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

AArsha Vani ( V o i c e o f S a n a t a n a D h a r m a )

October 2015 Volume: 1 Issue: 9

‘‘yā dēvī sarva bhūtēṣu...

namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namō nama:” “The very word ‘Mother’ arouses divine thoughts. The foremost decree of Vedas is ‘mātr̥ dēvō bhava’. Our sages realized that this omnipresent consciousness (‘Sarva Chaitanya Roopa’) took the forms of intellect, thought, wisdom, compassion, hunger, sorrow, valor, illusion, courage, fear, peace etc. in every being. They visualized that this consciousness is the ‘Divine Mother’. That consciousness or energy which is making everyone and everything active is called ‘Devi’. ‘Devi’ means ‘Embodiment of Self-effulgence’ i.e. that which illuminates everything (based on Sanskrit root ‘div’ which means

radiance). Another meaning of ‘Devi’ is one who sports or plays. ‘dīvya tē krīḍati iti dēvi’. Orchestrating this entire universe in itself is a sport.

aiśvarya vacana: śaścakti: parākrama ēva ca tat svarūpā tayōddhātrī sā śakti: pari kīrtitā - Devi Bhagavatam

The syllable ‘śa’ and ‘kti’ indicate affluence and gallantry respectively. The very epitome of ‘Supreme’ took the forms of ‘Prakriti’ and ‘Purusha’ thereby becoming the root cause of creation, sustenance and merger of this universe. That which revolves some in delusion, while liberating and giving salvation to Yogis is also the same Devi. The quintessence of ‘Truth’, ‘Auspiciousness’ and ‘Gorgeousness’ i.e. ‘Satyam’, ‘Sivam’ & ‘Sundaram’ is the real nature of Mother. That’s why She is venerated as ‘Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari’. Because, She is the form of infinite Time, She is called ‘Kali’. Because, She protects from all directions in multiple ways and can’t be comprehended by worldly senses, She is called ‘Durga’. She is ‘Saraswati’ as goddess of knowledge or learning, ‘Lakshmi’ as goddess of wealth or prosperity, ‘Annapurna’ as goddess of sustenance etc. She is the energy in ‘Om’ (Combination of ‘A’, ‘U’, ‘M’) and hence called ‘Uma’. She ferries across tribulations and is called ‘Tara’. Even at mundane level, it is very common for a worldly mother to take all these forms and performs all these functions towards her children – teaching as Saraswati, providing as Lakshmi, protection as Durga and so on. We Indians worship even our country as ‘Mother India’ and adore ‘Vande Mataram’ i.e. ‘Salutations to Motherland’.

– Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from discourses ‘Devi Mahatmyamu’ & ‘Devi Tattvamu’)

Upcoming Pravachanams

Date: Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2015 6:30PM Topic: "Chandi Saptha Sathi" Venue: Srisailam.

Date: Oct 13 – 21, 2015 3:30PM Topic: "Sri Devi(Tripura) Mahimna Stava"

Venue: Sri Kumaraswami Mutt, Varanasi

Date: Oct 30 – Nov 3, 2015 6:30PM Topic: "Siva Mahima Vaibhavamu" Venue: Ongole.

(For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar )

Major Festivals Mahalaya Amavasya: Oct 12, 2015 Offerings to departed ancestors according to family traditions.

Navaratri : Oct 13 - 21, 2015 During Navaratri, performing shodasopachara puja every day with each nama mentioned below bestows the grace of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. śrī durgāyai namaḥ; śrī āryāyai namaḥ; śrī bhagavatyai namaḥ; śrī kumāryai namaḥ; śrī ambikāyai namaḥ; śrī mahiṣōnmardinyai namaḥ; śrī caṇḍikāyai namaḥ; śrī sarasvatyai namaḥ; śrī vāgīśvaryai namaḥ.

Vijaya Dasami: Oct 22, 2015

Worship Mother as ‘jayā vijayā sahita

aparājitāyai nama:’

Perform ‘Shami’ (Jammi) puja. śamī śamayatē pāpaṁ śamī lōhita kaṇṭakā। dharitryarjuna bāṇānaṁ rāmasya priya

vādinī॥kariṣyamāṇa yātrayāṁ yathā kālaṁ

sukhaṁ mayaṁ। tatra nirvighna kartrītvaṁ

bhava śrīrāma pūjitē॥

Traditions-Fulfilments

Worship of Goddess Saraswati with white flowers bestows academic accolades.

Reciting this sloka while keeping kumkuma on forehead is auspicious.

kuṅkumaṁ śōbhanaṁ divyaṁ sarvadā maṅgaḷa pradaṁ। dhāraṇē nāsya śubhadaṁ śānti rastu sadā mama॥

Sadhu Vachanam “The Primordial Power is ever at play. She is creating, preserving, and destroying in play, as it were. This Power is called kāḷī. kāḷī is verily Brahman, and Brahman is verily kāḷī . It is one and the same Reality. The shackles of kāla, time, are cut by kāḷī's name."

- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Bharateeyam “Whereas others regard the country as an inert object, and know it as the plains, the fields, the forests, the mountains and rivers, I look upon my country as the Mother, I worship Her and adore Her as the Mother.” - Sri Aurobindo.

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma)

Why Gods, the very embodiment of compassion, carry weapons that symbolize violence?

Weapons symbolize ‘compassion’ also. Compassion of the Lord can be experienced in two ways – 1. Protective form 2.

Punishing form. Protecting the virtuous and vanquishing the vice is the very nature of the God. God exhibits His supreme

unparalleled power to destroy the demonic forces. This is done to establish Dharma and hence considered ‘Ahimsa’ i.e. non-

violence. At more subtle philosophical level, God holds these weapons to subdue the evil tendencies in those who worship

Him. The very reminiscence of those weapons removes obstacles in spiritual progress and leads to ultimate inner peace.

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

HOW TO CELEBRATE NAVARATRI? Astrological calculations indicate that Aswiyuja is the first month because Ashwini is the star on the Pournima of this

month. ‘Navaratri Vratam’ begins from Padyami and continues for nine days. Different methods based on Veda, Purana,

and Agama are prescribed to worship ‘Divine Mother’ during this auspicious time. ‘Trikala Archana’ i.e. Archana during all

the three times (morning, afternoon and evening) is preeminent. Else, Archana in morning and evening is good. Vrata can

also begin from ‘Tritiya’ or ‘Panchami’ and continue till ‘Dasami’. Another way mentioned in scriptures is to begin worship

from the day when the star is ‘Moola’. Amongst all, worship on ‘Ashtami’, ‘Navami’, and ‘Dasami’ is very important. By all

means, puja on ‘Navami’ day should be performed. But, we should not worship only on ‘Dasami’ day. If one choses to

worship for all the nine days, worship should be performed after installing the ‘Kalasa’ according to their family traditions.

On the day of Vijaya Dasami, Udvasana is done in the morning and there is no afternoon & evening puja. Worship of God

is done in three forms – Physical form (picture, kalasa or pratima), Geometrical form (yantra), and Sound form (mantra,

stotra or stuti). Any stotras such as Sri Lalita Sahasranama stotra, Sri Lalita Astotranama stotra, Sri Lalita Trisati etc. are

excellent to obtain Mother’s grace. – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

WHY TO CELEBRATE NAVARATRI? A state of confusion is prevailing all over the country lacking sense of direction and

clarity of thought. Selfishness of few individuals is arousing rage among millions.

Common people are unable to comprehend how much development and progress are

obstructed by those who are posing themselves as sacrificing their lives for the cause

of society, leave alone the disturbance and agitation in day-to-day living. Nobody is

realizing the truth that the entire society is not only losing the equilibrium, but also

going decades backwards. Everybody is under the strong impression that they alone

are suppressed and meted injustice due to their religion, community, caste, region,

gender etc. by others. They are turning very violent burning with hatred and enmity

towards others. With this mutual animosity, whole nation is spiritless and losing virility.

Politicians are diverting public passions towards these acrimonies and are having a

heyday.

‘Demons’ is not a particular community or group. All those mentioned above –

insensible people, people who orchestrate agitations, and people who are violent and

intend to destroy or create harm to others without any reason – all are demons. This

attitude is ‘demonic’. These people are not even ready to accept their demonism, even

if someone attempts to awaken them. This is the height of demonism.

It is very clear that there is pressure of strong evil influences all around that is not even

allowing anyone to apply their commonsense. Our sages

established and propagated the worship of ‘Divine

Mother’ during this ‘Navaratri’ to ward off and suppress

these evil forces that permeated across individuals and

society. Full-fledged authoritarian expansion and

dominance of these violent traits eradicates Dharma,

harmony, love, affection, composure and equilibrium.

Our dharmic scriptures metaphorically indicated this

hardcore demonism in the forms of different individuals

such as Mahishasura, Bhandasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha,

Chanda-Munda, Ravana-Kumbhakarna etc. ‘Mother of the Universe’ is the supreme

power that destroys all these evil forces. Every individual aspiring for the welfare of

universe should congregate to Worship ‘Mother’ with benevolent thoughts. Everyone

should pray and invite that ‘Supreme Power’ orchestrating this universe. All our noble

thoughts and deeds should be directed towards evolving constructive, peaceful and

harmonious society leading to the holistic prosperity of our Motherland, leaving aside

petty selfish interests. To achieve this, we should worship ‘Maha Durga’ during this

auspicious Navaratri. It is indeed very sad to see ‘Mother India’ burdened with natural

calamities on one side and man created tensions like regional differences, caste clashes,

political battles etc. on another side! All these turbulent happenings in the very cradle

of ‘Dharma’ is even more painful! This is the moment when every individual desirous

of country’s welfare should worship ‘Mother’ with utmost and sincere devotion.

dēvī! prapannārti harē! prasīda prasīda māta:! jagatō akhilasya।

prasīda viśvēśvari! pāhi viśvaṁ tvamīśvarī dēvī! carācarasya॥ - Devi Mahatmyam

DIVINE MOTHER KALI

THE MAHA SHAKTI

‘Kali’ is the base phenomenon (‘Pradhana

Prakriti’) from which all the other forms

manifested. Kali is worshipped as

‘Mahakali’ - the energy of Mahakala;

‘Bhadrakali’ - bestowing favors on

everyone; ‘Dakshinakali’ - holds Lord Siva

with Her right foot and sword in left hand;

‘Aadyakali’ - worshipped by Vishwamitra

and in many forms. Those who worship

‘Kali’ receive all favors in any ‘Kala’

(period). Recently, display of Goddess

‘Kali’ on Empire State building in New

York and subsequent press coverage such

as ‘Goddess Kali, Hindu God of Death’,

‘Destruction projected on Empire State

Building, New York City’, ’Demonic Hindu

God of Death and Destruction’, ‘Satanic

Deity’ is very damaging and disturbing.

This kind of adverse propagation implant

very negative thoughts on the young

minds, who are already in the danger of

losing our rich spiritual and cultural

heritage. ‘Cut head’ in the hand of ‘Kali’

represents ego elimination. Her sword

represents the knowledge. Remaining

two hands represent the boon giving and

granting fearlessness. Reciting the below

names of ‘Kali’ on Tuesdays especially

during Navaratri fulfils all wishes.

‘jayantī maṅgaḷā kāḷī

bhadrakāḷī kapālinī durgā śivā kṣamā dhātrī

svāhā svadhā namōstutē ‘

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

1. Sri Surabhi Gosala, Rajahmundry. 2. Sri Lalitha Tripurasundari Goseva Samiti, Vijayawada. 3. Gosala at Sri Mata Veda Pathasala, Saket, Hyderabad. 4. Sri Krishna Ananda Godhamam, Mangalagiri, Guntur District. We encourage everyone to constantly strive to protect our cow heritage. Details regarding ‘Goseva’ donations can be found in any of the Rushipeetham branches or by sending an email to donations@rushipeetham.org

Announcements

‘Mahabharata Gaadhalu – Bodhalu’ pravachanam at Kurukshetra from March 6 – 12, 2016.

Everyday 11:00am to 12:30pm and 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

For details, visit http://saamavedam.org/images/home/Kurukshetram-Tour.pdf

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For information, contact Sri Sitarama Sastry @ +91 9542122189

‘Go Seva’ - Some of the Gosalas Rushipeetham helped:

‘ gōmātrē nama:’ We worship cow as Mother. The syllable ‘gō’ means Veda aphorisms, Sun rays, Earth, Life energy and Cow. Cow’s milk,

curd, ghee, urine and dung are used as oblations in Yagna. A great

consecrating act called ‘Panchagavya Prasana’ is performed with the

combination of these five items. Sages were baffled that what should be

offered in Yagna to Gods who enjoy the nectar, as there is no nectar on

earth. Then, Gods resolved this saying, ‘Cow’s milk is the nectar available

on earth. The curds and ghee that come from it are also the forms of

nectar.’ Because of this reason, only cow ghee is offered as oblation in the

fire of Yagna. Sprinkling cow ghee over the sacred offerings to God

sanctifies them. Only then, they should be offered to God.

Not just by faith, the eminence of cow is proven by science also. One form

of very rare energy present in Sun rays is absorbed by ‘gold vein’ in cow’s

hump. Hence, Ayurveda and other scriptures mention that the milk of cow

has excellent energetic and medicinal values.

Once, while king Parikshit was going around the country for protecting

Dharma, He saw Earth and the God of Dharma in the form of Cow and Bull

respectively. They both were talking. Meanwhile, Kali came and hit the Bull

with his leg. This pained the cow. It is sin to tolerate the tormentation of

cow! Moreover, a ruler should punish those who create agony to cow.

Hence, Parikshit subdued Kali. This story is from Sri Bhagavata Purana. There is great significance in picturizing Earth as

cow and Dharma as bull. Cow yields due to bull and gives milk. Similarly, earth yields only due to Dharma and grants

harvest and other foods to those living on earth. Our culture is so lofty that we venerate Earth and cow as the forms of

Mother. Puranas explained that ‘Go Loka’ is very spectacular, shining distinctly high up in the cosmos. Lord Narayana ever

lives there in the form of Sri Krishna along with His consort Radha.

‘gōstu mātrā na vidyatē’ – There is nothing comparable to Cow – Yajurveda Mantra

‘sā viśvāyuhu sā viśvakarma sā viśvādhāya:’ – Veda venerated the cow as the sole sustainer of this universe.

‘gavai paśyāmyahaṁ nityaṁ gāvaḥ paśyantu māṁ sadā ।

gāvōsmākaṁ vayaṁ tāsāṁ, yatō gāvastatō vayaṁ॥

gāvō mamāgratō nityaṁ gāvaḥ pr̥ṣṭhata ēva ca ।

gāvō mē sarvataścaiva gavāṁ madhyē vasāmyahaṁ॥’ – Sri Mahabharata

‘We shall always see cows! Cows shall always see us! We belong to cows and cows belong to us. Cows shall be present on

our front, back and all sides. We should always live in the midst of cows.’ – Everyone should chant this prayer as much as

possible for the thriving of cows, as stipulated in Mahabharata. – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Aswiyuja Shuddha Dwadasi is ‘Godwadasi’; Aswiyuja Bahula Dwadasi is ‘Govatsa Dwadasi’ )

Correction: Aarsha Vani September 2015 ‘Bharateeyam’ - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is First Vice President (not First President). Sincerely regret the error.

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Felicitation of Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu with

‘MADHURA BHARATI’ Puraskaram September 13th, 2015 , Vijayawada, Andhrapradesh

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

‘Sri Vallabha Ganapathi Navaratri Mahotsavam’, Konthamuru

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

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